Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe told The Irish Times: "Given the increase in acts of terrorism over the last several years, every democratic country should be obliged to deploy the most robust means of authenticated travel across borders that it has available."

The Minister stressed that the card will not be compulsory despite the fact it will be vital for getting both a passport and a driving license.

He added: "It is not and will not be compulsory to have a PSC.

"However, government has an obligation to deploy the most robust means of online and physical identity verification possible to ensure that it is doing all it can to reduce fraud, personation and the risk of identity theft in in the delivery/accessing of public services."